Not to offend any Christians, we are just not sure how strong the influence in the school is and we want our child to be older and be able to discern by himself later if he wants to take up any religion.
[quote="yusim_lim"]
About NUS High… it ends up in a Math & Science Diploma, right? Then to Uni. Would it limit the options in the U, since the child is going in based on the specialized Diploma?
I mean… if the child wants to read Medicine, for example, he/she will have issue right?
Vs an A-Level…
If, by any chance touch wood, messed up in the NUS High, end up with a lousy Math/Science Diploma (or even don’t have at all), what options would the child have out there?
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[quote="pen88n"]
Regarding the official writing of advantages a GEPper has over a Mainstream student in DSA, there is no such thing in existence. Ultimately, DSA is a just "competition" for available vacancies amongst the group of applicants and the best candidate will be offered the place based on the school’s assessment, be it he / she is from GEP or Mainstream.
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Like to echo what pen88n said, during the NUSH briefing, they actually invited an ex NUSH graduate who was studing medical in NUS. So A-level is not a must, but good grades are…
Well, if really really touch wood, a kid can mess up in any school anywy, right? The good thing I see in NUSH is that the class size is small and fewer classes each year, so the kids actually get more individual attention from the teachers.
As for saying absolutely no advantages a GEPper has over a Mainstream student in DSA, I may not agree… The minimum P5/P6 results (not PSLE) for DSA test exemption for RI is actually lower for GEP than MS. But then, that’s the provision of GEP exams are more challenging than MS, so you can look at it from both angles.
Dear 23blessed,
Reading the posts in the forum, I can definitely understand your uncertainty. So, being the parent of previous and potential Gepper, I thought maybe I can share a bit.
My elder boy was a Gepper, now in NUSH year 1, went in thru DSA.
My younger boy just received the yellow envelop today with a 3-digit serial no.
Both of the did not attend any tuition other than HCL in Berries, and no special prep classes for GEP.
So, did I regretted putting the elder into GEP? Probably yes... for few reasons:
1. The school works were tough, challenging and A LOT
2. Without putting him into tuition center, meaning that we need to spend time to couch. The level of the homeworks is no joke, especially social studies, which was sometimes challenging even to understand the questions.
3. The teachers are \"inhuman\" sometimes when pushing the boundries of the kid's ability
4. My kid's HCL level dropped a lot, as not enough time to put effort in.
5. He was top in P3, but average in GEP for 3 years. But is that more of parent's ego than anything? 
But did my kid regretted going to GEP? No, he did not and as a matter of fact, is still happy of the learning experience.
- He loved the math and science and best of all, he got the chance to challenge the science teachers on certain topics.
- He learned a great deal about environmental issues in social studies and his English level improved significantly in the 3 years.
- He has a group of equal weirdo in the class who will challenge each other. The kind of kids who will answer, \"depending on your perspective and point of view,\" when teacher asked, \"how is the weather today?\"
He did not score fantastic during PSLE, but got into NUSH thru DSA without the need of PSLE.
So to sum up, will I put my younger one into GEP? Yes, I will, unless DD says no.
This Saturday in NUSH, the kids will have a glimspe of the kind of school works and potential challenges they will be going through in next 3 years. If they are uncertain and intimidated, I would say you may want to hear him/her out.
Just a few cents... and sorry for the long post too...
And btw, 2 more thoughts:
- If you're really worry about HCL, can consider choosing non-SAP school for CL instead.
- If good PSLE results is the aim, probably the kid can concentrate more in MS because GEP teaches many things not needed in PSLE. But if the kid's learning boundries is ready to be challenge, I would give him the chance.
Hi all.... so the results out liow, since some of your received notifications. Question hor, didn't get in, will they even bother to mail and inform you or not?
My DD is from a neighbourhood school in Tampines and jot got notified today of being selected. :rahrah:
His elder brother was Gepper and graduated from St Hilda's last year. 2 GEP class in SHPS during his batch with B:G ratio of about 3:1
From the composition of his class, don't think there was priority given to other Anglican mission primary schools.